Rival Views: Which 2022 prospect could challenge for the No. 1 spot?
Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney don’t always see eye to eye. In this edition of Rival Views, the two debate which prospect is the biggest threat to Quinn Ewers for the No. 1 spot in the 2022 rankings:
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MORE RIVAL VIEWS: Which program is off to the best 2022 start?
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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FARRELL'S VIEW: Walter Nolen
I still say defensive tackle Walter Nolen is the biggest threat to quarterback Quinn Ewers when it comes to ending the 2022 class as the No. 1 prospect overall. He’s just such a rare and special pass rusher from the interior that he could pick up where Maason Smith left off and represent defensive tackle as No. 1. He's moved around schools a bit but he will make a push if he has an incredible senior season.
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GORNEY'S VIEW: Keithian Alexander
Nothing is set in stone when it comes to the 2022 rankings but this defensive line group is so absolutely loaded that the biggest threat comes from those spots and my bet is that Keithian Alexander pushes toward that top-ranked position before all is said and done. The new Georgia commit is so massive, so athletic and he’s dominated since he was a freshman in high school, only getting better and better.
There are lots of quality candidates along the defensive line with Alexander, Nolen, Travis Shaw, Tyre West and somebody who could emerge even more in the coming months is Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove’s Caden Curry, who’s currently ranked No. 19 overall. My bet is on Alexander pushing toward that top spot, though, because he cannot be stopped along the defensive line.